Britain Denies Seeking Military Bases in Israel; Scores Arab Report

September 12, 1956

LONDON (Sep. 11)

The Foreign Office denied today reports from Arab sources that Britain would use bases in Israel. A Foreign Office spokesman, commenting on the report published by the Middle East News Agency and several Cairo newspapers, said it was untrue. “There is no agreement of any kind between Britain and Israel for the use of bases in Israel,” he said.

Meanwhile, a communique issued from 10 Downing Street today following talks between Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden and French Premier Guy Mollet asserted that “a very grave situation” had been created by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s refusal to negotiate the Suez Canal crisis on the terms of the 18-nation London conference. The Anglo-French leaders discussed further measures to be taken, the communique added, and reached full agreement upon them.”